Vander Ploeg Bakery

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8 years ago

The Dutch letters made here are one of my favorite treats, I have had them fresh from here and had the packaged ones that are found in a few stores around Iowa. I have tried other items here that are delicious, but not much can sway me away from the Dutch letters! Oh, what's a Dutch letter? It's a S shaped dough type pastry filled with some sweet filling.....Google it as it'll be a better visual and explanation than I'll give you. :) read more

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Christabel F.

30

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1 year ago

I visited this bakery this past weekend with my sister-in-law and nephew and they had the cutest sugar cookies for spring/easter! Service was great, definitely a very small shop though, no room to just hang around more of a pick your poison and giddy on out of there. I ended up getting a plain glazed donut but it was delicious - soft and pillowy with the sugary glaze on top - chef's kiss read more

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Tanner K.

2

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9 months ago

Such an awesome bakery!! Was in town from NC and had to stop in to give this a go and loved it! Beautiful space with plenty of options, friendly people, and the Lemon Poppyseed muffin was unreal! Wish this wasn't so far from home! read more

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Michelle A.

458

1432

2022

2 years ago

We just arrived at Tulip Festival and there are people everywhere! This was on my list to get right away. Dutch letters are S shaped and are a flaky pastry with almond paste inside. They are priced $2.70 for one or 4 for $11. I got a box of 4. We ate 2 right away. Super delicious! read more

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Larry B.

32

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1

1 year ago

Rating this bakery is easy, five star all the way! The ambience, the service and the product were so good. Very accommodating to someone traveling. I come here every time I visit. read more

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Jamie A.

0

9

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1 year ago

We have been ordering Dutch Letters for more than 70 years . It a family tradition to have them on Christmas morning. When we opened the box 2/3 of the letters were in crumbles. We were so disappointed. I did reach out to them and was refunded for half my order. They took no responsibility for the lack of packing materials and the way the product was packed. read more

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Mark F.

0

6

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2 years ago

Best apple bread ever and everything else is very good. I prefer it to the touristy giftshop feel down the street. read more

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Susan A.

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1

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2 years ago

I purchased a Cherry Delite Coffee Cake on April13, 2024. I was very disappointed. The cake was very dry. The cherry "filling" was barely integrated in the cake. I will not purchase this product again. On the plus side, the staff was very helpful and friendly. Susan A. read more

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John S.

0

5

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2 years ago

Dutch letters are the bomb and worth the small wait. Other baked goods are just as wonderful.

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Terry A.

Elite 25

28

117

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3 years ago

Their interior is missing the gift shop feel of the other bakery down the block, but I prefer their Dutch letters (just a little). The other sweets are fine, and they do offer a sausage roll, which lets you add a little protein to your bakery "fix." read more

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A M.

12

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2 years ago

The baked goods look enticing, but then you bite into them, they're all dough and barely any filling. McDonald's provided more filling in their fried apple pies and they're cheaper! The one thing the bakery does well is offer bread loaves at a low cost, and they're delicious. The tomato bread was flavorful, and the apple bread was as well. I would only go back for bread loaves. Don't try filled pastries- you're basically eating bread alone with a tablespoon of filling. read more

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Anna D.

0

2

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2 years ago

Bakery products here are consistently fresh. Employees, even super early in the morning, are cheerful and helpful. Prices are very appropriate. Highly recommend! read more

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Ashley E.

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8 years ago

Having lots of cookies and pastries while in Pella for meetings, I still had to stop in. The pastries all looked amazing, the donuts were fantastic but the Dutch Cannoli was amazing. The flaky crispy over layer just like a cannoli, but it's filled with an almond paste and then super delicious rich chocolate and almond slivers. Yes it is really is as good as it looks! Stop in! Every pasty I've had was amazing and you can't go wrong. read more

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Kay S.

2

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4 years ago

Glad we stumbled across this bakery! Everything was so good we can't wait to visit Pella again! Donut holes, lemon bars, fried apple pies and an almond coffee cake. Everything we bought was beyond delicious. read more

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Matt U.

Elite 26 All-Star

1014

2073

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12 years ago

This place is money! We came in whilst sauntering about during the tulip festival. Located across from the main park down the way from Jaarsma bakery, we decided on this place because the line was a bit longer. Upon entering, we were greeted with carbs of every variety! The quintessential dutch letter, an assortment of donuts and plenty of flavored breads. I'm always puzzled as to why the Dutch only sell the letter "S" in dough form. I would happily purchase other letters, but cest' la vie! The bismark that I munched on was as good as anyone I've ever had and made the wait totally worth it. We got a couple letters, a cherry turnover and something else with frosting. Everything runs around $1.00-$2.00 here so you can grab something for the road and tomorrow morning without throwing down too much cash. Great local place with some Dutch flair! read more

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Andrea S.

Elite 21

193

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7 years ago

A makeover! I definitely did a double take walking down Franklin St at the sleek exterior and new signage. While I was still greeted by the familiar scent upon entering, I was pleasantly surprised to find a bright, modernized interior. The puff pillows with a custard-like filling are just as I remembered - sweet (not too over the top) and perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or milk. The donuts are also fluffy and not drenched in sugar...very yummy! Be sure to stop in and treat yourself to something delicious next time you're wandering around the square in Pella! read more

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Beth G.

12

4

7 years ago

This bakery was amazing! We bought Dutch Letters while we were in town for Tulip Time. Yum! The flaky, almond filled Dutch-American treat was the perfect start to our time exploring this town during their busiest festival. Also, their lined moved fast and efficiently. We will be back again. read more

Vander Ploeg Bakery - Sign on Street - Bakeries Near Me - Pella, Iowa

Vander Ploeg Bakery - Dutch Letters Filled with Almond Paste - Bakeries Near Me - Pella, Iowa

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Celeste T.

0

421

565

11 years ago

Dutch Letter - yep that's the one to get!! We stopped at a Casey gas station right outside of Des Moines and saw these letter S pastries on the counter. Two for 5 bucks. I took one bite and went right back in to buy several more. That's when a nice gentleman behind me spoke up and told me about the bakery in Pella. I love Almond!!! This flakey pastry is filled with almond. Heavenly! read more

Vander Ploeg Bakery - Two for $5.00. LOVE this almond pastry. - Bakeries Near Me - Pella, Iowa

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Genevieve W.

Elite 21

166

864

1299

10 years ago

The smell is as good as the taste! They don't have the largest shop or the biggest selection but the few things we got were wonderful. The turnover was flaky and delicious. The blueberry filling was sweet but not too sweet. It went wonderfully with a cup of coffee. The cream filled cookie was great and the ingredients were very high quality. Staff was really nice. And the shop was small but packed full of goodness. A definite sugar overload! read more

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Kelsey D.

2

124

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7 years ago

Very nice place with friendly staff! Delicious looking goodies but I only tried the apple pie donut... YUMMY!! read more

Vander Ploeg Bakery - Apple pie donut - Bakeries Near Me - Pella, Iowa

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Rodney B.

0

2

0

5 years ago

The employees here are so nice. We just moved here and they gave vouchers for free goodies in the welcome pack. Everything we've tried is amazing! My husband loves the Texas doughnuts. Definitely give them a try! read more

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Erin O.

Elite 15

224

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12 years ago

I picked the busiest time to stop in: during Tulip Time. However, the fifteen-minute wait to order didn't phase me. In fact, I'd wait in line for thirty minutes in the rain to get access to Vander Ploeg's yummy pastries. Once I entered this cute, clean place, I felt like a kid in a pastry store. I ordered a selection of goodies, each piece of flaky perfection giving way to sweet fruit filling like raspberry, blueberry, cherry or apple. At an average of around $1.25-$1.50 per pastry, each is an affordable treat. If I'm in Pella again, I'm returning! read more

Vander Ploeg Bakery - Window of goodies. - Bakeries Near Me - Pella, Iowa

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John K.

0

12

0

4 years ago

Friendly service. Great pastries. Very clean, nice little shop to stop in for a treat.

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Chris H.

105

25

1

5 years ago

Underrated, because bakery down the street is more well known, but this one has some unique offerings and the quality is very good. The almond hankies are better than the famous Dutch letters -- best almond product in Pella. I really like this place. read more

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Faye H.

9

3

0

4 years ago

Super friendly staff that always have a smile to share. Plus all the yummy treats!!!!

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Layne R.

Elite 19

60

307

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11 years ago

When in Pella, you must hit the square for local treats and one place to stop is Vander Ploeg Bakery. Get Dutch letters. To not do so is foolhardy and possibly a criminal act*. Vander Ploeg isn't a very big bakery but they have a nice little assortment. Jaarsma a few doors own has a larger selection. When it comes to the quality of Dutch Letters, I'd say it is a draw. Trust me, I tested both extensively. But they are both really exceptional. What Vander Ploeg lacks in options, they make up for in ONLINE ORDERING. Oh yeah. You can order these delicious treats and have them shipped right to you. Yes please! Another win for Vander Ploeg, they sell smaller, sticks of the Dutch letters (i forget the actual name they went by) that are smaller than the regular letters. So you can eat more of them and feel less guilty! To sum up: Go to Pella and eat Dutch letters wherever you can get them and thank me later. And then order them online through Vander Ploeg, get them at home and thank me again. *probably not, but it should be. read more

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Candi K.

Elite 17

357

743

57

18 years ago

I like their Dutch letters a little better than those at Jaarsma's, but everyone is different. They also make a great apple bread! Make sure to get some goodies to bring home if you aren't a local. read more

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Tina H.

0

9

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5 years ago

Best decorated cookies in town. Not hard like the other one's cookies.

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Katie B.

2

1

11 years ago

Service is less than friendly, but very efficient. Dutch letters are great. We also tried the Dutch spice cookies and lemon blueberry bread. Everything was delicious and we will certainly stop again when in the area. read more

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Kay W.

2

6

0

7 years ago

Definitely the best cookies and my kids go crazy for the cinnamon crispies. Plus the owners are the sweetest and the new remodel is to die for. read more

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Rick N.

0

8

0

7 years ago

Great place to get a loaf of fresh bread! They have tasty treats too! Dutch Apple Bread is amazing!

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Selfish G.

2

25

2

8 years ago

It's smaller than Jaarsma, but for me, just as important to visit as Jaarsma. Vander Ploeg is delightful, quaint, and to me seems even more cozy than Jaarsma. They both have specialties. To me, Vander Ploeg has better Walnut bars/cookies, as well as better Apple Bread. Even though I think Jaarsma has better Dutch Letters, you can't go wrong with a dutch letter from Vander Ploeg. And the prices are better here, which is sweet. Definitely worth a trip to Pella for! read more

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Kenneth B.

Elite 19

98

299

759

10 years ago

Dutch letters yum, who doesn't like almond paste with a flaky pastry wrapped around it? If your anywhere near Pella this is a must go out of your way to get some kind of thing. read more

Vander Ploeg Bakery - Dutch letters yum - Bakeries Near Me - Pella, Iowa

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Colten S.

0

1

0

6 years ago

Made a custom order and was told that it was too late for such an order. However they said that they would try their best to make my large order of cookies. I got my order and wasn't happy bc the cookies didn't match my theme for my party at all. I called and they said sorry the decorator didn't come in so we just used what was on the shelf. I called back and explained they said they were sorry but in order to get my money back I would need to bring the cookies back in so they can resell it because they are out of money. WHAT?!?! RESALE THE COOKIES AFTER IVE OPENED THEM DURING A PANDEMIC read more

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Adrienne M.

31

4

0

11 years ago

We arrived 10 minutes before closing and explained we were visiting from NC and that the bakery was my mother's favorite growing up. We were not rushed or treated other than kindly. And the baked goods were perfect. read more

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Kathryn H.

3

23

0

17 years ago

I stopped at both Vander Ploeg and the other big bakery in Pella when I was in Iowa a few months ago. Vander Ploeg has lots of adorable frosted cookies and sweets in addition to the traditional Dutch tasties one expects. The Dutch letters were delicious, and the staff at the bakery was very patient and helpful while we were shopping. read more

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Angela S.

2

19

2

16 years ago

Best donuts I've ever had! The glazed donuts are amazing and made fresh each morning. If you get there early enough, try the glazed donut holes (they sell out early). But don't save them for the next day or they'll get soggy. They also have the best crispies for a major sugar rush, and wonderful buns for sandwiches. And of course, they have great dutch letters too (although nothing beats my mom's letters bursting almond goo out the sides, but that's not an option for you). Also, the dutch letters freeze well if you're looking to save some for later. This is a necessary stop for anyone in the area craving some sweets! read more

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P V.

0

3

0

9 years ago

Joel returned to Royal Oaks with a sample of "Dutch Letters" which were so delectable. Joel is a joy to all the residents of Royal Oaks. Thank you for the sample of 'letters.' And Thank you for allowing him to be in our community of Royal Oaks Arnold and Peggy Vogel read more

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Anna R.

0

19

0

14 years ago

Vander Ploeg's is the place to go to in Pella for great cake. We have tried several places and always got our birthday cakes growing up from Vander Ploeg's. This week we ordered buns and cake for a reception and they were excellent. The cake tasted great as usual and they did a nice job decorating it for a very reasonable price. read more

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Sharon S.

0

11

0

13 years ago

During our recent visit to Pella, we stopped at Vander Ploeg and also at Jaarsma's. Frankly, I liked Vander Ploeg better. We bought their White Walnut bars which were really good (and cost less than at Jaarsma!) read more

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More info about Vander Ploeg Bakery

711 Franklin St
Pella, IA 50219
Directions
(641) 628-2293
Call Now

Hours

What time does Vander Ploeg Bakery open?

Vander Ploeg Bakery opens at 5:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Vander Ploeg Bakery close?

Vander Ploeg Bakery closes at 6:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Vander Ploeg Bakery closes at 5:30 PM on Saturday.Vander Ploeg Bakery is closed on Sunday.

Mon-Fri 5:30 AM - 6:00 PMSat 5:30 AM - 5:30 PMSun Closed

Payment methods

Does Vander Ploeg Bakery take credit cards?

Yes, Vander Ploeg Bakery takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Vander Ploeg Bakery have catering options?

No, Vander Ploeg Bakery does not have catering options.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Vander Ploeg Bakery have bike parking?

No, Vander Ploeg Bakery does not have bike parking.

Does Vander Ploeg Bakery have parking?

Yes, Vander Ploeg Bakery has parking options. Street Parking, Validated Parking

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Jaarsma Bakery

4.7(134 reviews)

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This place is the best! There's always countless things to try and the staff is always so nice and…read morefriendly! There's treats are delicious too! It may be busy most days but their food is well worth it!

Very cute bakery! Lots of very fun options. We got am apple fritter, cream filled Bismark, and a…read moreDutch letter and all of them were excellent!

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What a great lunch stop! Went in on a Friday around 12:30 and the bank place was pretty full, but…read morethere were a few tables available. I stepped up to the lunch counter and ordered the 1/2 Dried Beef Gouda Melt. The sandwich came out quickly, with a real plate and silverware, which is a nice touch. The sandwich was delicious! Fresh, tasty bread and tasty Gouda. The combination of beef, cheese, and sauce was right on spot. It's a cool old building with lots of seating, self-service water (another nice touch), and lots of bread, dessert, soup, and other options to grab and go. Pleasant and friendly service.

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This little business is growing and with the growth, the atmosphere has been changing…read more The owner has added bakery cases, made the tables feel more cozy and the food is still as good as it gets. This is definitely a go-to for me.

From the owner: Here at Red Ribbon Bakery all of our granolas are hand made in small batches and roasted to…read moreperfection. We use only the best ingredients. Whole rolled oats, clover honey and pure vanilla. Featuring an addictive blend of crunchy, nutty clusters and plump fruit, each of our unique flavors makes the perfect addition to your yogurt, as a cereal or a healthy sweet snack straight out of the bag!

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The New Yorker--yummmm!

Jaarsma Bakery

4.6(30 reviews)

16.1 mi

Their sweets are delicious. There is quite a variety. We really love the almond tart. We took one…read moreto our daughter in Colorado. She said "this is SO good! I can't believe you're sharing it with us!

We love their primarily dutch pastries. Tip - have a good discount for day old products.read more

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Dutch Oven Bakery

4.3(43 reviews)

55.7 mi

Absolute hidden gem in Ames. Of course the bakery is great. You can even get day old bread at a…read moresteep discount. The true discovery is that they serve an excellent lunch. Sandwiches, soups and salads. We had the Reuben and a bowl of chicken wild rice soup. They even split it for us as we shared! The coffee looked great too - lots of people carrying out. Donuts, Dutch letters and other sweets were also plentiful- we got some to take home. Will go back for sure! Very quaint and local.

Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery is a family-owned, full-line scratch bakery since 1983. This is a…read moregood check-off for visitors. We visited on a Friday afternoon around 2 pm and I was glad some of the baked goods were still available. I quickly picked up a few items: Dutch letters, almond horns, almond tarts, and blueberry filled Dutch windmills. The first three items have a strong but not overpowering almond flavor. I especially liked the almond horns which had a crunch but chewy and buttery texture. I also really liked the windmills and wished I had ordered the raspberry ones as well. It was buttery and flakey with just the right about of blueberry cream cheese filling.

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Delicious flaky cinnamony goodness!! Did not try the breads, but they smelled wonderful.read more

Churros c/ caramelo (w/ caramel), pan enchilada c/ queso (bread stuffed w/ cheese and chilies), donuts y cookies.

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4.9(22 reviews)

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Yumishes!. Plus more gook for 85 characters okay more gook for more characters. hum drumread more

Excellent donuts of many varieties and the friendliest service and bakers you could hope to find…read more The Bismarcks are a special favorite: custard, chocolate, or strawberry. Can't beat the "glad to run into you in line" vibe!

Coneys (chocolate & vanilla with crème filling)

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The Bake Shoppe

4.0(79 reviews)

43.2 mi

•$$

Really yum got a champagne cake for my anniversary with just whipped topping and it was real good…read moreguys you should get if you can

Had bigger order for cinnamon rolls. Called the week ahead…read moreand put in the order. Was able to lock in the time and had no problem paying over the phone a head of time for the two dozen cinnamon rolls. They were picked up as planned and brought in to our place of work. They have all types of baked goods but this was our first time using Bake Shoppe for this size of order. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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5.0(4 reviews)

44.4 mi

The best pie ever, highly recommend for any baking needs. Perfect for special gatherings and…read moreoccasions.

From the moment we walked in her stunning home (and drool-worthy kitchen), Deb made us feel at…read moreease. We attended her fajita class on Cinco de Mayo and learned how to make pineapple and aleppo pepper sorbet, marinated steak/chicken/veggies, flour tortillas and guacamole. The food was outstanding, Deb was a thorough teacher and the crowd was lovely (and encouraged to interact). Even if you live in downtown Des Moines, it's worth the drive! Deb, a former restaurant professional, says veggie-based dishes are her specialty, so we're looking forward to attending again for one of her salad or spiralized vegetable classes. Plan for about 2 or 2 1/2 hours per event.